This page details the general event rules in effect at all APEX Running events and the maximum penalty for their violation, listed afterward in red. This page MUST be read in full by all event participants. By accepting the general event Entry Disclaimer (a copy can be found under the 'INFO' section of each event webpage), you have acknowledged that you will do this, as well as the admission that in any ruling, the Race Director’s decision is final.
We accept that the vast majority of our entrants will be no cause for concern and able to abide by all rules autonomously, however, the following rules have been established to eliminate any ambiguity with regards to our stance towards the safe, fair and professional hosting of any APEX Running event. Due to the nature of the environments in which our events take place, many of these rules have been generated to ensure participant safety during the event.
It is not acceptable to claim you were unaware of such a rule as listed below, or that “other event(s) doesn’t do this” etc. In the case of disqualification from any event, you will be required to leave the event at your own expense. In any case, no refund of the entry fee shall be offered.
Some of our events may also have additional, event-specific rules in place, which are not detailed here. All participants must also refer to the ‘Event Rules’ section of each event webpage for full details of what event rules are in effect.
We reserve the right to modify, change and update the rules and content listed on this page at any time. Please check back and read through in full, prior to any event that you are participating in.
RULE INFRACTION COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE
We understand that mistakes can and do happen, especially when fatigue and challenging event conditions may influence a participant’s judgement. Despite our best efforts to avoid such behaviour, runners may start with their number on their pack, accidentally drop a piece of litter or cut a trail corner, etc. If such similar cases are witnessed, it is encouraged to inform the participant in question of their wrongdoing, with the aim that is shall not be repeated.
However, if any serious rule breach is witnessed, or a participant persistently continues to infringe on ANY of the rules listed below, having been informed of their wrongdoing, the procedure for lodging a formal complaint against any participant is as follows:
1: Enlist a fellow witness to the alleged infration and gather any video graphic evidence if possible. Report the alleged infraction and participant’s race number to a member of the Event Team at the earliest available opportunity.
2: Report the alleged infraction in writing at the finish line to the Race Director. All protests must be submitted by 6pm on Monday following the race. Written protest must include the name of the person who lodged the complaint.
3: Decision on all infractions and rules is at the final discretion of the Race Director. There will be no challenges after that decision.
SECTION 1 – GENERAL EVENT RULES
1.1 At all events, it is the participants responsibility to be aware of all the rules relevant to the event entered, and to follow them. Do not expect all members of the Event Team to be fully aware of all rule details. To avoid any possible conflicts or misinterpretation, as a minimum, the Senior Event Team working on each event will be aware of the below rules and will all be able to provide guidance on the interpretation of the rules.
1.2 Participants MUST read, understand, and agree to ALL terms covered in the general event Entry Disclaimer, which is available to view under ‘Other Info’ on each event webpage. Entrants found to not have read, understood, and complied with any requests in the Event Disclaimer may have their entry cancelled without refund, or be refused at event registration.
1.3 Participants MUST read through any pre-event handbook that is distributed prior to the event, in full. This will contain any details of late changes to the event, etc. Ignorance of any event rule or policy is no excuse. Any offenders shall be penalised regardless of whether or not they have made themselves aware of the rules listed here and any pre-event handbook advice.
SECTION 2 – PARTICIPANT CONDUCT RULES
2.1 - Participant Age: All participants MUST be aged at least 18 years of age on race-day, unless stated otherwise in the event-specific rules. Lifetime ban from entering any future APEX Running events, for any runner who lies about their age during the entry process.
2.2 - Participant ID: Participant MUST attend the race registration themselves; no one can do this on their behalf. As proof of identity, participants MUST present photographic identification displaying their date of birth, prior to completing the race registration process. Unable to register and participate in event. Disqualification and lifetime ban from any future APEX Running event for anyone who uses a fake ID to gain entry to the event.
2.3 - Race Briefing: You MUST attend any mandatory pre-race briefing, as specified in the event schedule. This will cover any details of late changes to the event, race routes etc. 3-hour time penalty (applied post-event) for anyone found to have not attended the briefing, at RD’s discretion.
2.4 - Unofficial Runners: It is absolutely forbidden for people to take part in the event if they have not registered as a participant. Disqualification and lifetime ban from any future APEX Running event.
2.5 - Respect Event Team: Participants MUST comply with the guidance of any Event Team member during the event. This extends to the respect of any traffic/parking/camping rules that are enforced at Race HQ. Disqualification from event, at RD’s discretion.
2.6 - Respect Others: If you come across anybody, whether part of the event or not, who is in need of urgent or emergency assistance, we expect you to help, and a fair time credit will be given. Disqualification from event for anyone who knowingly does not help a fellow participant in need of assistance, at RD’s discretion.
2.7 - Behaviour: Any threatening or abusive physical/verbal behaviour towards any other participants, members of the Event Team or members of the public by any event participant will NOT be tolerated. Participants must NOT consume excessive alcohol, or consume drugs of any sort while participating in the event. Smoking may only be permitted in designated areas. Disqualification from and asked to vacate event immediately. Police/local authority may also be informed. Ban from entering any future APEX Running event, at RD’s discretion.
2.8 - Rights of Way: Participants have no right of way over any other recreational users (e.g. walkers, cyclists, horse riders) and should announce themselves when approaching, passing only when safe to do so, allowing plenty of room and always remaining polite and courteous. 3-hour time penalty (applied post-event) for any participant who has acted inappropriately to other trail users, at RD’s discretion.
2.9 - Mandatory Kit: At all points throughout the race, you MUST carry all the items as specified in the ‘Mandatory Kit’ section of the relevant event webpage. This will be checked at registration and a random kit check may take place during the race, and/or at the finish. Immediate in-race disqualification from the event for any missing item of mandatory kit, or failure to comply with any request to carry out random a kit-check.
2.10 - Race Number: The emergency contact & medical details area on the reverse of the race number MUST be completed prior to the event starting. The race number must NOT be folded or modified in any way and MUST be located on your FRONT only. It may only be covered by waterproof clothing, which must be removed/pulled aside to reveal the number on approach to any checkpoint, Mountain Safety Team member, etc. in order for them to identify you. 1-hour time penalty (applied post-event) for any participant who fails to display their number correctly or complete the personal details section on the reverse of their number.
2.11 - Being Counted: You MUST ensure that you are accounted for at all checkpoints, by ensuring that both your race number and time of arrival are noted by the relevant Event Team member. Though it may be tempting you must NOT rush through any checkpoint, which may cause you to be uncounted by our back-up timing system. 1-hour time penalty (applied post-event) for any participant who fails to ensure they are accounted for at any checkpoint.
2.12 - Music: Unless stated otherwise in any event-specific rules, listening to music using earphones only, is tolerated, so long as it is safe to do so. Any earphones MUST be removed when crossing any roads, as well as on approach to, and whist at, any checkpoints and when approaching and passing any Mountain Safety Team members. 3-hour time penalty (applied post-event) for any participant who fails to comply with advice from Event Team.
2.13 - GPS Tracker: If the event offers GPS tracking, you MUST ensure this is collected at the finish, or, in the case of retirement, collected by an Event Team member at the nearest route checkpoint. 3-hour time penalty for anyone who fails to return their tracker before the event finishes.
2.14 - SOS Activation: The SOS activation function on your GPS tracker must ONLY be used on purpose, in a genuine emergency situation, where there is a threat to life or limb and you are immobilised, as per the ‘Emergency Instructions’ printed on the course map and reverse of your race number. 3-hour time penalty for any runner who uses this function in a non-emergency situation, at RD’s discretion.
2.15 - Retiring: In the case of retiring from the event, you MUST inform a member of the Event Team IMMEDIATELY i.e. not several hours later, having washed and fed yourself! Ban from entering any future APEX Running event, at RD’s discretion.
2.16 - Forced Retirement: In the interest of participant welfare and safety, we reserve the right for any member of the Event Team to withdraw any participant from the event, even if against their own will. In such a case, any confrontation will NOT be tolerated. Disqualification from event if causing undue confrontation with Event Team.
2.17 - NSAI Use: At NO POINT within 24 hours prior to, as well as during the event, should any participant consume nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAI) drugs, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, etc. These can be highly dangerous when consumed during sports, particularly long-distance running. Disqualification and lifetime ban from entering any future APEX Running event.
2.18 - Doping: Participants must NOT use any performance enhancing drugs as listed by the World Anti-Doping Agency. Any athlete who has previously failed any doping test (whether in, or out of competition) carried out by any institution, including, but not limited to the World Anti-Doping Agency, UK Anti-Doping, QUARTZ Programme, IAAF, etc. will not be eligible to enter any APEX Running event. We reserve the right to employ anti-doping controls at any of our events. Any athlete who refuses to submit any sample to anti-doping controls, if selected for testing, or tests positive for any banned substance, shall be disqualified from the race and subject to a lifetime ban from any APEX Running event. They may also be subject to legal proceedings by the relevant anti-doping authority, sport governing body, or other party. Disqualification and lifetime ban from entering any future APEX Running event.
SECTION 3 – COURSE RULES
3.1 - Pets: Participants must NOT run with any dog, pet, or other animal at any point throughout the route, during the event. Disqualification from event.
3.2 - Litter: Participants must NOT drop or leave litter of any sort during the race. This includes any organic matter (banana skins, etc.) and extends to defecating on, or anywhere near the route at any point. This rule also extends to any participant’s race crew. Bins and toilets are provided at all checkpoints. Disqualification from event for any runner who is proven to have purposefully littered, at RD’s discretion.
3.3 - Gates: All gates MUST be left as they are found. Usually this means ensuring they are closed properly (secured by any latch or similar), unless it is very obvious that is has been tied or kept open by an immovable object, put in-situ by a farmer, or otherwise. Maintaining relationships with local farmers and landowners is of great importance to securing the ongoing running of our events. Disqualification for any runner who is proven to have purposefully left any gate or similar open, when it should have been closed after passing through.
3.4 - Community Respect: Our race routes often pass through many rural settlements. When passing through these areas, you MUST aim to minimise your impact by being respectful of local inhabitants: keep noise to a minimum, dim your headtorch, do not infringe on people’s privacy, do not frighten livestock, etc. At all times, you must NOT cause any unnecessary damage to property, footpaths, the environment, etc. Any accidental damage caused to any gates, boundaries, etc. MUST be reported to a member of the Event Team at the earliest opportunity. 1-hour time penalty for any runner who is proven to have been acting in an obnoxious manner while in close proximity to local residents.
3.5 - Road Conduct: At any road crossings, or sections of the route that run along roads shared with vehicular traffic, you MUST exercise common sense. i.e. running on the right-hand side of the road towards oncoming traffic (with dipped head torch, if dark), being visible at blind corners, crossing roads safely and adhering to the guidance of any operating Event Team members. 3-hour time penalty (applied post-event) for any participant who fails to comply with advice from Event Team.
3.6 - Mandatory Route Adherence: Wherever the event features a mandatory route (whether waymarked or not), runners MUST respect the route as depicted on the event map and not take any shortcuts or alternative routes, etc. If in use at the event, all participant’s GPS location traces (captured from the tracker every 30 seconds), shall be checked for adherence to the above, prior to any results becoming official. Failure to retrace your steps back to the route before carrying on, will result in a time penalty equivalent to 150% of the slowest recorded time for that section (between checkpoints) of the course.
3.7 - Physical Route Adherence: In an attempt to minimise the ecological impact of any APEX Running event, at any point where a mandatory route follows a physical path on the ground, you MUST stay on what appears to be the most obvious physical path, even if it is not the easiest/most optimal route to run/walk on. This means not taking small short cuts at corners, not trampling vegetation adjacent to the trail, not skirting puddles which could add to trail erosion/widening, etc. 1-hour time penalty for any runner who is proven to have repeatedly and purposefully cut corners, trodden on sensitive ground, etc. at RD’s discretion.
3.8 - Unauthorised Transport: All participants MUST complete the routes unaided and must NOT be assisted by any mechanism, device, material or otherwise during the event, including, but not limited to: use of cars, motorbikes or public transport, use of bicycles, scooters, use of a tow-rope with another runner, being pushed uphill, etc. Disqualification and ban from entering any future APEX Running event.
3.9 - Land/Trail Access Consideration: As an entrant or future event aspirant, you MUST be aware of the differences between private and open-access land, and how these are depicted on any maps. For example, the UTS route crosses private land in several areas, which we negotiate access to, specifically for the race only. You MUST respect any such laws during any recce activities by avoiding these areas. Any entrant found to be breaching access laws outside of an event may be banned from entering any future APEX Running event.
3.10 - Outside Assistance: Participants must ONLY accept outside assistance at the designated checkpoints where this is tolerated. Accepting assistance in any form at any other place on the route is strictly forbidden! This extends to accepting assistance (water/food etc.) from any passers-by on the route, unless encountering a genuine emergency situation. Disqualification and ban from entering any future APEX Running event.
3.11 - Stored Supplies: Supplies or equipment of any sort must NOT be stored at any point along the route for collection during the event. Similarly, supplies or equipment of any sort must NOT be stored during the event for later collection. Disqualification and ban from entering any future APEX Running event.
3.12 - Drop Bags: Where drop bags are permitted at an event, they MUST comply with the size and weight limits, as well as material type, as specified on the event webpage. Drop bag facility will NOT transfer any bags that fail to comply with the stated specifications.
3.13 - Hiking Poles: Unless stated otherwise in the event-specific rules, use of telescopic or folding hiking poles only, is permitted at all events. Whenever not in use, poles must be stowed neatly so as not to impose any risk to other participants or the general public. You may collect hiking poles from your drop bag (if you make use of this facility), but they MUST be carried to the finish, i.e. not stowed anywhere on the route, given to support crew, or deposited in any drop bag, etc. Disqualification for any participant found to be using non-folding/telescopic poles during event, collecting or depositing poles en-route, or using poles in an unsafe manner, at RD’s discretion.
3.14 - Support Runners: No pacers or external motivators of any sort are allowed for participants. Participants must NOT aim to gain any psychological benefit or motivation from any other person(s) outside of the event during participation. This extends to crews or supporters meeting or filming their runner, walking alongside them at any point throughout the route, etc. Crews may only walk alongside their runner to offer verbal assistance within a 20m radius of any checkpoint where outside assistance is tolerated. Disqualification for any runner who is found to have accepted any form of physical or mental benefit or aid from an event outsider or support crew, outside of the tolerated outside assistance zones.
3.15 - Support Crew Conduct: Any threatening or abusive physical/verbal behaviour towards any other participants, members of the Event Team or members of the public by any event participant support crew members will NOT be tolerated. Any support crew members must NOT consume excessive alcohol, smoke, or consume drugs while participating in the event in a support capacity. YOU (the participant) are responsible for the behaviour of your crew and will be penalised for any rule infraction on their behalf. Disqualification from and asked to vacate event immediately. Police/local authority may also be informed. Ban from entering any future APEX Running events at RD’s discretion.
3.16 - Cut-Offs: All participants must LEAVE any checkpoint prior to the stated closing time barrier. Similarly, they must have PASSED any points on the route that impose a time barrier before the stated time. If desired, participants who have been ‘timed out’ of the event may be allowed to unofficially continue (and receive a DNF), at the discretion of the Senior Event Team. In this case the organisation shall be removed from any duty of responsibility for their welfare. Thus, they shall have their race number and GPS tracker (if relevant) removed. Disqualification for any runner proceeding in the race after being timed out, without previous permission to continue from Senior Event Team member.
SECTION 4 – MARKED-COURSE RULES
In addition to the points in Section 3 above, for any of our marked-course events, the following rules in Section 4 will be enforced. In the interests of clarity, some points from Section 3 above are repeated.
We remind all participants that in the interests of fair competition, all our marked-course events are NOT akin to the nature to fell running races, where self-navigation and optimisation of route choice to reduce the time and/or distance spent running during the competition, is encouraged.
Amongst other factors, our marked-course events serve to deemphasise any navigational element of the competition, by ensuring that all runners follow near-enough exactly the same route throughout the event. No participant should aim to breach this ethos and gain any unfair advantage over other competitors by following a ‘better line’ or using ‘local knowledge’, etc. Any insistence that the marked course offered on the day was not the ‘right way to run that section’ or ‘wasn’t marked properly’, etc. will not be tolerated.
We understand that mistakes do happen, and you may find you have strayed from the marked course. In this instance, you must retrace your steps until you have re-discovered the marked course, before continuing on the correct route. Failure to do this will incur a time penalty equivalent to 150% of the slowest recorded time for the course section (between checkpoints) which was strayed from.
We remind all our participants that before any results become official and submitted to ITRA for ratification, all participant’s GPS location traces (captured from the tracker every 30 seconds), shall be checked for adherence to the marked course.
4.1 - Land/Trail Access Consideration: As an entrant or future event aspirant, you MUST be aware of the differences between private and open-access land, and how these are depicted on any maps. For example, the UTS route crosses private land in several areas, which we negotiate access to, specifically for the race only. You MUST respect any such laws during any recce activities by avoiding these areas. Any entrant found to be breaching access laws outside of an event may be banned from entering any future APEX Running event.
4.2 - Mandatory Route Adherence: Wherever the event features a mandatory route (whether waymarked or not), runners MUST respect the route as depicted on the event map and not take any shortcuts or alternative routes, etc. If in use at the event, all participants GPS location traces (captured from the tracker every 30 seconds), shall be checked for adherence to the above, prior to any results becoming official. Failure to retrace your steps back to the route before carrying on, will result in a time penalty equivalent to 150% of the slowest recorded time for that section (between checkpoints) of the course.
4.3 - Physical Route Adherence: In an attempt to minimise the ecological impact of any APEX Running event, at any point where a mandatory route follows a physical path on the ground, you MUST stay on what appears to be the most obvious physical path, even if it is not the easiest/most optimal route to run/walk on. This means not taking small short cuts at corners, not trampling vegetation adjacent to the trail, not skirting puddles which could add to trail erosion, etc. 3-hour time penalty for any runner who is proven to have repeatedly and purposefully cut corners, trodden on sensitive ground, etc., at RD’s discretion.
4.4 - Way-Marker Adherence: When there is good visibility (above 100 metres), all participants MUST stay within a five-metre radius of any course way-markers or other course marking materials. Course marker/sweeper team members will place the markers in-situ to allow this. Route ‘optimisation’ of any sort shall NOT be tolerated, i.e. where they are placed on any trail switchbacks, you MUST run around each marker and NOT seek to cut any corners, etc. No participant should aim to breach this rule by following a ‘better line’ or using ‘local knowledge’, etc., to gain any advantage over other competitors. As per 4.2, if in use at the event, all participant’s GPS location traces (captured from the tracker every 30 seconds), shall be checked for adherence to the above points, prior to any results becoming official. Disqualification for any participant who is proven to, or strongly suspected to have, not followed the marked course, at RD’s discretion.
4.5 - Self-Guidance Accountability: At all our events, due diligence is required to ensure you are following the ‘true’ race route and not the result of any course marking sabotage, misplaced markers, following the course the wrong way from any cross over points, or otherwise. This may mean employing the use of GPS navigational devices to follow the official route GPX, in addition to seeking assistance from route way-markers during the event. This is particularly important when visibility conditions are poor, or during the night-time. Disqualification for any participant who causes undue work to the Event Team, as a result of lacking the ability to navigate during event, at RD’s discretion.
4.6 - Navigational Responsibility: You must NOT expect to rely solely on route way-markers to navigate any marked-course route. As part of accepting the event entry disclaimer, you MUST possess the ability to navigate using traditional means, should you find you have strayed from the route. Ultimately, it is down to the participant to employ their judgement to ensure they are following the race route as closely as possible, while adhering to the above rules wherever practically possible. Disqualification for any participant who causes undue work to the Event Team, as a result of lacking the ability to navigate during event, at RD’s discretion.
4.7 - Way-Marker Modification: The removal or modification of any route way-marking materials is NOT permitted by anyone other than the event Mountain Safety Team. Should you feel the way-markers need adjusting or have been tampered with, you MUST inform a member of the Event Team at the earliest available opportunity. Disqualification from event, at RD’s discretion.